Talking moving-picture machine



Dec@ -18, 1928.

1,695,414 L. DE: FOREST TALKING MOVING PICTUE MACHINE Filed Deo. 7, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNE Y 5 'Dern 1s, 192s.

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L. DE FOREST TALKING MOVING PICTURE MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet -3 VUWENTOR u ,kw mi Im VM raf-Q... l wb mw. In f/f www Q f wh O l Huil -M B dn ATTORNEYS w ,Mwml

Dec. 18,1921?. l' 5 l' V 1,695,414 L. DE FOREST l TALKING MOVING PICTURE MACHINE Filed Dec. 7. 1923 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR www n 3% AN MQQ ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 18, 19278.

V 1,695,414 UNITED sre'rasrarsnr OFFICE.

LEE DE FOREST, OF NEW YORK, N. Y1', ASSIGNOR TO DE FORST PHONOFILM COR- PORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAVIARE.

TALKING MOVING-PICTURE MACHINE.

Application ledrDecember 7, 1923. Serial No. 679,260.

This invention relates to an attachment for moving picture machines or devices constructed in accordance therewith for producing or reproducing talking moving pictures,

and has for its principal object the provision of instrumentalities or devices used in connection therewith which are ysimple in structure, e-ilicient in operation and economical of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to pro- .vide simple parts especially adaptable for use in connection' with the talking or sound reproduction portion of a talking moving picture machine which may be, simply adjusted and which permitsready accessibility and removal for replacement, cleaning, ete.

A further object of the invention is to proi vide a simple but eicient slit construction for a projector attachment and one Which will permit a quick and permanent adjust ment as to its size but whicl-r will at thel same time likewise permit a vsudden increase in size `for cleaning purposes.y v

A further object of the invention is to"pro v ide a removable block which supports a presser bar. A further object ofthe invention is to provide an attachment for standard motion picture machines which is simple in structure and self-contained and which will permit the use of such machines as a talking motion .picture machine.` v

Further objects of the invention will ap'- pear more fully hereinafter. y

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth as shown in the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure' l is a front view of a projector ai.- tacl'n'nent embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom pla-n view ol the saine. B is a vertical, sectional view of the yremoivil presser foot block.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line -LIF ig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows. v

Fig. 5 is a faeeview of the'slit-carrying plate with the slit devices and face plate removed.: l

A Fig. 6 is a rear View of the same.

Fi 7 is a rear view of the slit plate and f slit ormer.

tit

Fig. 8 isa sectional View taken on the line SMS, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal, sectional view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3. A" Y Fig. 10 isya fragmentary, detail view partially in section, showing the locking mechanism employed for lookin-g the removable presser foot lock in place. f i

F ig. ll is an enlarged, complet-e plan View of the assembled structure. .i

Fig. 12`-is a view in side elevation thereof.

The same part is' designated by the same referencenumeral Wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

It 1s among the special purposes of my present invention to provide an attachment for motion picture machines which may be used in connection therewith to convert the same into a talking moving picture machine such asv is generally described in my copending application SerialNo. 635,334, filed April 28, 1923. This present invention, howeve,is'directed to the detailsof structure of the attachment per se and to novel and important features thereof.

The invention is utilizedwith a film conv taining the sound record photographically obtained thereon, and the photographic sound record is utilized to control an electric circuit 'whereby the variations in the electrical 'circuit are re-converted into `sound Waves. The attachment is arranged at a suitable position with respect to the remainder of the machine, for example, as illustrated in my cro-pending application abovefidentified, so that the film passes` therethrough betvveen a constant source of light and a photo-electric cell `which is adapted to be included in an electric circuit to control the current flowing therethrough by and in accordance with the amount of light permitted to Apass through the film, depending upon the sound record thereon. i

Reference numeral l designates the attachment which consists essentially of a support-- ing frame l which serves to support the vari'- ous instrumentalities which constitute the complete assembly. It also affords means to connect the attachment in any suitable manner, for example, to the top and bottom pieces 2 of the motion picture machine. The frame l supports, by means of suitable brackets 5, a platform 6 preferably of insulating. 1naterial upon which is located an ammeter 'i' and a rheostat l for controlling the same. The platform t5 likewise supports a switch block end ltnite switch tor controllinr D they circuit ol the ammeter and rheostat which in turn controls a light source enclosed in the light case ll which extends through an orifice in the sir-.e wall of the frame 1 and directs the light. therefrom through light. tube 12, through light hole 13 (see. Fig. 6) in tbc light slit assembly generally designated in Fig. 1 at 14. The opposite side of the frame l is provided with an ali o'ned orifice in which is supported the end otl the photo-electric cell 15. On either side of the slit assembly 11iis located a roller lo' suitably secured to the bottom ot the frame 1 for rotation. "he diameter ol the rollers at their ends is larger than at the centers thereot and such diamete.. .t extend beyond the tront surface of the slit assembly so to aflord free passage ot' the film thereby and at the saine time confine the contact liietween the film and the roller to the marginal edge thereof. The rollers 16 are rotatably secured in angv suitable way to the bottom ot the trame 1, for example. by means of the screw studs 17 on which the rollers are rotatably mounted.

l will now describe the slit assembly with particular reference to Figs. 3 to 7. This consists of a plate Q() positioned between the rollers 1G and suitably. permanently secured to the bottoni of the frame l in any manner. tor example. by means ot screws 21 extending through the bottom ot' the Jtrame. This plate. the rear face of which is shown in Fig. 6. has.

in the bach thereof, and near its top. a circular depression 22 in 4'which the end ot the light tube -12 adjustably extends. It also has a-restricted or light orifice 13 positioned atthe approximate center ot the circular chamber Q2 extending;` through the plate. An air duct 2S is likewise provided through the plate 2O and connected to a nipple 2J.; extendingr through the bottom of the body 1 for the purpose to be hereinafter described. This air duct communicates with the circular' chamber 2Q. The plate also supports a member for rotation with respect thereto at a pointin horizontal alignment to the center ot the light orifice 13. This` member is rotated b v means of a lever 26 which extends beyond the rear face of the plate. The member carries a pin 2T positioned oft center with respect thereto whereby rotation of the member secures a cam movement for the pin QT. The pin 27 projects through the fr ,tont l'aee ot plate Q0. as clearly shown in Fin. A thumb adjustment screw 28 extends through the top ot the plate 20 and is adapted to bear A' against the member Q5 to prevent the movement thereof accidentally or through jar after an adjustment of the slit which the cam lever 26 controls, as will be hereinafter described, has been etected.

The next member of the slit assembly consists ot what .l will term the slet plate, the rear view ot which shown in Figi. 'i' and the, liront view ol which is shown in Fig. l. the central, vertical. sect ional view being' shown in il. The. rear ot tliit1 plate. whirl i:v` numbered ill). provided with pinsI 331 adapted to seat in depress-ions 3:3 in the face oi' the plate 2() to ensure proper positioning. lt is also provided with holes 53 therethrough lo permit the Same to be atried to the 'front face of plate Qt). for example, by means of serrer-a ill The s Y.t plate 230 grooved as at 5. the width o' the groove beiner substantially the sau-f' -rl' the width olA the picture QX- ure ot' he i'ilzu which passe; tberethrtmgh. .fit the top of the `ejrooved portion a narrow yslot PEG is provided and extends halt "Jay azzross the width thereof, This slot is provided with beveled top and bottoni edges 37 in the back face of the plate and a beveled side edge 3S at. the approximate vertical center` of the plate. A removable slot forming member 85) formed of cooperating; beveled edges and a fiat surface is adapted to lit into tbe beveled ree-ess of the plato 30. This member has a vertical groove@ at one end thercotI and a beveled end 41 at the other end thereof to cooperate with the sharp beveled edge 38 to torni a slotl 42. It will be obvious that by moving the member 39 in its recess the slot 42 may be adjusted to any desiralile size. and due to the fact that the slot is formed by beveled edges. the same may be very accuratehv controlled. The cam pin QT fits into the groove 40 of the member 3f) so that upon rota- 10o tion of the lever Q6 the pin will move up 'ardly or outwardly, as the case may be. in the groove 40, moving! the slit forming member 2&9 in one direction or the other, depending,r

upon the direction of rotation of the lever 105' Q6. Guide. plates L17, 48, are provided at the top and bottom ot the plate 30 and overhanging the. same so as to, in eect, form a slot through which the film passes. One of the plates., preferably the lower' plate 48 as 11o shown` is yielding-ly pressed upward by means` of the spring I will now describe the presser foot block assembly particularly as illustrated in Fins. 3. S. 9 and l0. This consists essentially ol' a 115 block member which is provided at its rear tace with a circular slot- 51 in which is positioned a sleeve 52. a spring;l 5&3 being )ositioned between the inner recess of the slot and the cud of the sleeve to normally force the. 120 same outwardly. Limit ot movement of the sleeve is ett'eeted by means ot a pin tserured to the sleeve 52 and projecting! through an elongated hole 55 in the block 50. The block 50 carried at its surface top and bottom 125 flanges 56 and 57, to form a recess portion 5S therebetween. The bottom flange 57 has horizontal lues 59 and 60, which lugs are adapted to slide in the `grooves of positioning flanges 61 and G2. respectively, which are suit- 13o ably secured vto the 1` Vin` any manner,I for example,l by means of screws y63. The recess 59 is provided with a limiting center block 64 slot 67 of the flanges 56 and 57 and normallyl held forward by spring 68. This arrangelnent allows `a yielding limited movement of thepresserfoot assembly. 2

The guide flange 61 is provided witha space 70 formed between two' projections 71 and 72 thereof, so that the-lugs 59 may fit therebetween and be-'m'oved forwardly into the position shown best in Fig. 9. 'The guide flange 62 carries a locking awl member 75, the tooth v76 of which is a apted to engage the 'tooth 7.7 carried on the lug 600i the presser foot block so that when the presser footblock is placed in position it is locked i there. To assemble the presser foot block,

the compressible sleeve 52 is depressed liush with the -rear .surface of the block andthe block positioned inthe guide flanges v61 and 62and moved forwardly until the dog 76v locks the 'samev imposition, -the springV 53 pushingvv thesleeve 52 into fiush contact with the side wall 2`of the frame 1. To further lock the presser foot block in position a rotatable lug 8O pivotally mounted as at 81 on side 2 of the frame 1, is moved downwardly in position so that the foot 83 thereofbears on .the sleeve y52,as-cl'early shown in Figs; 8

-window91 and ,a handle 92 to facilitate the'S openingofthe door. f Thiswindow permits and 12.' The nipple 24, previously referred to, is provided for connection to a sourceot air pressure for cleaning theslot 42fifg'f as and when desired,. withou t interferingfwith theassembly.v f The side wall 2 at .its end a gate or door90 provided with a a view ot the assembly even when in operation, While at the same time'protecti'ng the Same against accumulation of dust, dirt' or the like, and,-together with the vtop and bottom of thecamera and the 'back' of the body' 1, effectively encloses the apparatus in va chamber which maybe looked linto :tof

which ready access may be had.

. It willV be seen from the{foregoing'-tlrat have provided an Verceedingly simple but highly efficient slit assembly and arrange'- ment fora talking moving picture attachment for motion picture cameras and one wherein simplicity in structure, minimum of parts and ease of operation and control and disassembly are featured.

It is obvious that many modifications and changes in details will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined. in the claims, but having now set forth thev objects and nature of my invention, and havr-` of theiframe has hinged" ',thereby. c v

6. In a light slit assembly for a sound .ing the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful andof my own invention and deslre to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a light slit assembly for a sound picture attachment, a supporting plate with an orifice therethrough, alight slit plate positioned in front of said supporting plate and formed with a slot therethrough extending to the areaof said orifice, and a slidable slit :forming member mounted in'said slot. A

2. In a light slit assembly rfor a sound picture attachment, a supporting platewithYAY member mountd in said slot, and means for moving said member in said slot to adjust the size of the slit termed thereby.

3. In a light slit assembly for a sound picture attachment,a supporting plate with an orifice therethrough, a. light slit plate positioned in front of said supporting plate and formed with a slot therethrough extendingto the area of said orifice, a slidable slit forming member mounted in Asaid slot, means for moving said member Ain said slot to adjust the size of the slit formed thereby, a plate, a. movabler member carried by said plate to cooperate therewith from a lightl slit, and means for moving said member to vary the size of said slit. t

' 4.' l'In' a light slit assembly for a sound picture" attachment, a supporting platewith an orifice therethrough, a light slit plate supported'v by 'said' supportingv plate and beveled edged slit forming member slidably mounted-in said Slot.

`5`. In alight slit'assembly-v `for a sound picture attachment, Va supporting plate with an orifice therethrough, a. light slit plate supported by saidsu'pporting plate and formed with a bevel edged slot therethrough extending to the area of'said orifice, a beveled edgedslit forming member slidably mounted in said slot, and means for moving said member in said slot to adjust the `size of'the slit formed picture attachment, a supporting plate with an orifice therethrough, a light slit plate sup'- poited'by said supporting 'plate and termed with a bevel edged slot therethrough extending to the area of said orifice, a beveled edged slit forming member slidablyvmounted in said slot, means for moving,r said member in said slot'to adjust the size of the slit formed.

thereby, a plate,la movable member carried by said plate to cooperate therewith from alight slit, and means for moving said member to vary the size of said slit.

u., 'l'. In a sound picture attachment, and in ing shown and described astructureembody-f1 combination with a light slit device, of a vieldable presser footdcvice associated with said lightslit device, and means for removing said presser foot device out of association ivith said light slit device.

In a .sound picture attachment, and in combination with a light slity device` ot a vieldable presser' toot device associated with said light slit device, means for removinfcy said presser toot device out of association with said light slit device, and a presser loot yieldably carried by said presser foot device.

t). A presser toot device comprising a supporting' block having` an orilice extending therethrough` a presser ioot yieldingly supported on one face thereof, and in front ot said oritiee` lO. A presser foot device comprising a supportingl block having an orifice extendingl therethrough, a presser foot yieldingly supported on one tace thereof, and in iront o't' said oritice, and a telescopios.,r sleeve surrounding; said orifice and yicldingly projectinc from said -block at the opposite face thereot'.

ll. In a sound picture attachment for picture machines, a supporting body, a light slit device carried thereby, a presser foot device associated with said light slit device and removably carried by said body.

l2. In a sound picture attachment tor picture machines, a supporting bodyvfa` light slit device carried thereby, a presser toot device associated with said light slit device and slidably larried' by said body.

lil. In a sound picture attachment for picturemachines, a supporting body, a light slit device carried thereby, a presser foot device associated With said light slit device and slidably carried by said body, and means ior locking said presser foot device in associated position with respect to said light slit device. Y

ll. In a sound picture. attachment for picture machines, a supporting body, alight slit device carried thereby. a presser footdevice associated With said light slit device and slidably carried by said body. means for loclrinr said presser toot device in associated position -with respect to said light slit device, and independent means for holdingr said presser foot device in position on said supl'iortiner body.

15. In a sound picture attachment for motion picture machines, and in combination with a supporting body, a light. chamber and a light sensitive cell supported by said body at opposite ends thereof, a light` slitl device land a cooperative presser t'oot device also supported by said body and positioned betiveen said light chamber and said cell, and light tubes extending trom said light slit device and said presser toot device to said light chamber and said cell respectively.

lo. In a sound picture attachment for motion picture machines, and in combination with a support-ing body, a light chamber and a light sensitive cell supported by said body atiopposite ends thereof, a light slitdevice and a cooperative presser foot device also supported by said body and positioned be tween said light chamber and said cell, light tubes extending from said light slit device and said presser foot device to said light chamber and said cell respectively, and means for removing said presser foot device.

i7. In a sound picture attachment for motion picture machines, and in combination with a supporting body, a light chamber and a light sensitive cell supported by said body at opposite ends thereof, a light slitdevice and a cooperative presser foot device also supported by said body and positioned bctween said light chamber and said cell, light tubes extending from said light slit device and said presser foot device to said light chamber and said cell respectively, and means for sliding said presser foot device out of cooperative position with respect to said light slit device.

18. In a sound picture attachment for m0- tion picture machines, and in combination with a supporting body, a light' chamber and a light sensitive cell supported by said body at opposite ends thereof, a. light slit device and a. cooperative. presser foot device also supported b ysaid body and positioned between said light chamber and said cell, light tubes extending from said light slit device and said presser foot device to said light chamber and said cell respectively, means carried by said body for lockingl said presser foot device in cooperative position with respect to said light slit device, and independent means also car ried by said body for holding said presser foot. device in assembled position on said body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 28th dav of Nov., A, D. 1923.

LEE on FOREST. 

